Repair Plumbing Doing plumbing repairs is one of those things that all homeowners will have to grapple with eventually. Hiring a plumber can be very expensive, and homeowners can save lots of money by learning to do some of these household chores on their own. One of the most frequently encountered plumbing problem is that of replacing a hot water heater.

Having a plumber replace a hot water heater can cost anywhere from $1500 to $2500, but replacing the heater yourself can save you plenty of money. If you know what you are doing, it is not all that hard to replace a hot water heater. The key is to plan ahead and to follow the instructions carefully.

The steps involved in the replacement of a hot water heater include:

1. Once you realize that the old hot water heater is no more, it is time to start draining the tank. Depending on the size of the heater it can take several hours to drain. Before you get started it is important to turn off the main water valve and to open all the faucets, as this will eliminate pressure and make the tank drain more effectively. If the hot water heater is a gas unit, be sure to turn off the main gas line. If the heater is electric, be sure to turn off the breaker.
2. When buying a replacement hot water heater try to buy the same unit if you can. This will eliminate the need for adding new valves or additional piping.
3. Begin by sizing up the job, starting by disconnecting the tank from the water pipes, the electrical connection or the gas line. In the case of a gas unit it will also be necessary to disconnect the flue. Be sure to save all the parts as you will need to have them later.
4. Be sure to have some basic supplies on hand when you get started. Some of the things you will need are plumber's tape, solder, a small gas torch, plumbing sandpaper, flux, a pipe cutter and gas tape to seal the gas line. It is also a good idea to have some pipe glue on hand. When buying the replacement heater you may want to ask the salesperson at the home store for a more detailed list.
5. After the old tank has been disconnected be sure to get it out of your way. Next, do a thorough measurement of the pipe, as this will be your reference guide when it is time to visit the hardware store or home improvement warehouse.
6. With the new tank in hand, slide it into place and begin to line up the plumbing. If you were able to find an identical unit the plumbing should line up perfectly. If you were unable to find a match you may need to remove or add some piping. It may be necessary to splice together copper and plastic, but don't let that stop you. The hardware store should have the required parts to make this splice with no problem.
7. If you do need to add copper piping, be sure to clean both the old and new pipe inside and out with sandpaper. If the pipe is not clean the solder will not flow properly into the joint. Also be sure not to over wrap the threaded pipe with tape, as this could cause a leak. Wrapping the pipe twice around should be sufficient. It is also important to avoid over tightening the pipe.

While all this may seem somewhat complicated it is actually not all that hard. Best of all you should be able to save lots of money using the do it yourself approach. While a plumber may charge $1500 to $2500 to replace a failed hot water heater you should be able to do the job yourself for about $500 depending on the type of hot water heater you choose and the modifications that may be needed.